Media Council warns politicians over verbal attacks
The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) says will lobby to have politicians who verbally attack media houses and journalists denied clearance to contest in the 2022 general elections.
The warning comes days after politicians allied to Deputy President William Ruto launched an online attack at a leading media house.
In particular, Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa described the said media house as ‘Githeri Media’ and ‘Gutter Press’. He also asked his supporters to boycott it.
“The contents of the post by the politician are an affront to media freedom and a clear sign of intimidation by politicians to the media house and journalism at large,” a statement by the council reads in part.
“Whereas the politician has the right to disagree with the editorial policies of any media house, it is unacceptable to incite the public against any media house,”
Barasa was reacting to a story aired by the media house suggesting the DP’s motorcade was stoned during his recent visit to Central Kenya.
MCK has also asked legislators aggrieved with any media house to file complaints with the Media Complaints Commission that is legally mandated to prosecute the media houses.
Besides Barasa’s actions, Embakassi East lawmaker Paul Ong’ili aka Babu Owino is also on the spot after he reportedly made a ‘nasty’ call and text messages to a senior journalist.
.@MediaCouncilK cautions politicians and leaders against violating freedom of expression, press freedom and access to information as provided for in the Constitution and the Media Council Act, 2013. pic.twitter.com/9Nfzl5C60F
— Media Council of Kenya (@MediaCouncilK) September 6, 2021